View report page

45
PART VI
PERSONS IN NEED OF CARE AND ATTENTION.
During the year the Health Department received many enquiries
for assistance in obtaining care and attention. These requests were
made mainly by callers who, in the majority of cases, were relatives;
but in some instances neighbours of public spirit. To provide an
effective service experience has illustrated the importance of the
closest possible liaison between the Health Department in the Town
Hall and such outside local agencies as the general medical practitioner,
hospital, local health authority, welfare department and
voluntary organisations.
For aged persons unable to secure care and attention for themselves
the family doctor is the person to whom they must turn. He
can best determine whether care may be given in the home, hospital
or a residential home. Deciding that the aged person should remain
at home the family doctor, by making application to the local area
health office, may secure the services of health visitor, domestic help
and/or home nurse. Should hospital treatment be required it is the
family doctor who arranges admission by applying to a suitable
convenient hospital, or, in the event of failure, by requesting the
assistance of the Emergency Bed Service. When a stay in a residential
home is indicated the family doctor may forward the necessary
particulars to the area welfare office. If a second opinion is required
arrangements may be made by the family doctor to call in a consultant
under the National Health Service.
The health visitor has been known to residents in Tottenham
for many years by her work for mothers and children at home, school
and clinic. She advised and helped the family through each succeeding
new birth, until the grown child left school, maintaining a
friendly link between the family and all local authority social and
health services. The National Health Service Act extended her
duties so as to make it possible for her to give advice on health
matters throughout the entire span of family life. By 1949 she was
fully recognised as a participant in assisting with the care and
attention of the aged. Changing social conditions, health and
education policy has, however, greatly increased the pressure of
basic health visiting duties, and an insufficient number of health